EDFL 2019: Justin Colliss headlines Oak Park recruits
Oak Park’s bid to climb the Division 1 ladder has received a major boost with the acquisition of a ”matchwinning” midfielder from a rival EDFL club.
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Oak Park’s bid to climb the EDFL Division 1 ladder has received a major boost with the acquisition of star midfielder Justin Colliss.
While the Kangaroos have waved goodbye to some key personnel over the off-season, Jacana premiership player Colliss is a significant addition.
Colliss, who has signed on as a playing assistant coach, has been named in Jacana’s best players 18 times from 36 games over the past two years, underlining his consistency.
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“We knew if we got him on board he’d bring a lot to the playing group leadership-wise and his character,” Oak Park football manager Adam Fletcher said.
“He’ll drag a lot of the young kids through with him.
“He’s very explosive in the middle of the ground. He’s a matchwinner.
“Obviously it’s a big loss for Jacana and a big gain for us.”
Adam Meiorin, who has kicked 106 goals for Greenvale in the Premier reserves competition in the past two seasons, has also arrived at the club, along with Rob Tinsley (Epping) and Dale Powell (Tungamah).
Big man Kenneth Barlow, who has a basketball background, is another to have put pen to paper.
On the negative side, Cameron Hare and Travis Anderson have crossed to Tullamarine, Alex Gleeson has retired, while Ray Harrison has also moved on.
The Kangaroos are set to lose Blair Cronin and Nathan Sciberras, who have both had clearance requests to Tullamarine denied.
“Rumours are obviously they want to go to Tullamarine and we’re not holding our breath that they’ll stay,” Fletcher said.
Since progressing to the Division 1 preliminary final in 2016, Oak Park has won just 12 of 32 games.
It finished with a 5-11 record in 2018 and lost to relegated Jacana in the final round.
“We’ve obviously lost some senior players and a bit of depth, but we’ve signed 10 players this year and we’re going to add probably another 3-5 over the next few weeks. They’ll be substantial players for us,” Fletcher said.
“We’re sort of rebuilding.
“Obviously we don’t want to drop to Division 2, but we think with the list we’re starting to put together and what we’re going to be putting together over the next few weeks, that we’ll definitely be competitive for that top four.”
The Kangaroos will face Hillside in Round 1 on April 6.
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